The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-03-12
In MeInorian ,

Cold and low today in the silent tomb
sleeps the remains of our late highly es
tsemed and dearly beloved companion,
Mr.. Thomas O'Donnell. His death, which
occurred so recently in our midst, was, to
us, a severe and terrible shock. Seldom
indeed have we been called up"n to chron'
Gle sadder event. Large and strong, he
seemed gifted with sound constitution
and destined tor q long life. A few weeks
of neavy sickness, however, told fearfully
on him and, although already past the
critical point and apparently on the way to
recovery, his condition was still regarded
as serious Last Friday night, the 18th
ult., a sudden change announced that the
worst could be expected and that death
might come at any momeut. A few hours
before dawn In the morning Of the Goth
an unusual noise throughout the house
the low whisper and the quiet, hurried
tread OF footsteps told plainly that the end
was really approaching So indeed 1t was;
the priest had already heard his confession
annointed him, and given him all the spr-
itual consolation that u minister of tie
church and priest of God can give. He
was we'll prepared, and was ready for Geath
Soon II came; and under its dark shadow
and beneath its cold grasp, his breathing
ceased, his young heart stopped its Leating
his spirit had fled. Close ty his side his
dear mother and brother, In tears and with
feelings that we shall not here attempt to
describe, watched his last faint struggles,
watched, tenderly and lovingly, the last
spark of life In their darling boy pass
slowly away. In the room many priests,
ssminarlans and students were also gath.
cred, who prayed fervently for their dying
friend. His death, which took place a
little before six o'clock, was quiet and tran
quill. Many Masses were Immediately read
for him, and prayers offered up in the
Chapel for the rest of his soul.
When morning dawned and the sad news
was whispered around deep sorrow per
vaded the whole community, and many a
student walked away from the little crowd
that had gathered together ana secretly
wept his fill At noon the remains were
brought TO Kankakee and thence taken to
his parent's home in Ottawa, where they
will be inferred on Monday, the 2Sth.
Rev. Father Dooling accompanied them
home, and followed them 10 their last rest
Ing place. Twenty of the older students
also went as far rs Kankakee. 1t was the
least they could do to show the love and
respect which they entertained for theiI
com panion. That night while dear friends
and relatives wept bitter tears over his
pale confined remains at home, cloud Of
deep sorrow hung over the community
here. and prayers were frequently offered
up, both privately and In common.
Today the bleak winds howl about his
grave. and the SHOWS of winter are per
haps, covering 1t from view. His place is
vacant ut home, dear brother Is gone, a
fond child laid In the silent tomb. Here,
too his place stands unoccupied, and
highly esteemed and much respected com.
psnion Is missed. Mr. OD,nnell, during
his short stay among us had, truly, made
many friends; he hsd won the love and
good will of his fellow students rs we'll as
the esteem and confidence of his superiors
Always mild and gentle, he seemed pleased
with everybody. and had fault TO find
with nothing. He was smart, talented,
and industrious; and hal apparently a
bright future before him. During the
greater part OF his sickness, his dear moth
er and brother were at his bedside, and
were unremitting in their attention TO him.
Sarrowful, indeed, as his death was to us.
II must have been doubly so To them. In
their great aiiliction We extend To them our
heart felt sympatbies, and would say that,
though their darling hoy is gone, We trust
and sincerely believe, II Is his gain. They
have lost a child, a brother; and We a dear
friend and companion, hut heaven we he
lieve, has gained another soul. This, at
least, Is our sincere hope, and IN that end
we will not cease In pray. May his soul
rest in peace."-St. Viateur's College Jour
nal